Make software decisions you can explain
Use one original scorecard to compare your short list, make tradeoffs visible, and keep a clean decision record for your team.
A repeatable way to compare a short list
This worksheet is deliberately neutral: it does not rank vendors, use commissions, or send your entries to our servers.
Score your shortlist
Rate each option from 1 (weak) to 5 (strong). Change weights to reflect what matters most.
Team-size fit
Can your current team use it without buying for a larger company?
Workflow fit
Does it cover the work you need it to do today?
Integration fit
Will it connect cleanly to the systems you are keeping?
Implementation effort
Can you realistically adopt it with your available time and support?
Recurring cost
Is the ongoing cost justified by the work it replaces or improves?
Option A
60%
Option B
60%
Option C
60%
Formula: each option criterion score times its criterion weight, divided by the maximum possible weighted score. This is a decision aid, not a vendor ranking; it cannot verify vendor claims, implementation effort, or contract terms. Scores stay in your browser until you download them.
Use the score as a discussion starter
Put the decision owner, implementation lead, and daily users in the same review. Score independently first, then use differences to identify assumptions that need a vendor answer or a pilot.
- 1. Name three realistic options. Avoid comparing a current tool against an idealized replacement.
- 2. Set weights before entering scores. Your priorities should lead the outcome.
- 3. Record unresolved risks. A high score is not a substitute for checking migration, support, and contract terms.
Score the fit you need, not a generic feature list.
Use the downloadable template when you need a shareable record. It includes the same criteria, editable weights, option scores, and a separate decision-log sheet.
Need a grounded starting point?
Run a software audit for a fit-first blueprint based on your industry and team size.